teeter

1 of 2

verb

tee·​ter ˈtē-tər 

teetered; teetering; teeters

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move unsteadily : wobble

b

: waver, vacillate

teetered on the brink of bankruptcy

2

: seesaw

teeter

2 of 2

noun

: seesaw sense 2b

Synonyms

Verb

• falter
• rock
• totter
• waver
• wobble
• wabble

Examples of teeter in a Sentence

Verb

The pile of books teetered and fell to the floor.

She teetered down the street in her high heels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Three years on, the Southeast Asian nation is teetering on the brink of failed statehood. —Hannah Beech Adam Ferguson, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024

And their top-heavy lineup teetered with everyone from Chris Taylor to Freddie Freeman scuffling to start the season. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English titeren to totter, reel; akin to Old High German zittarōn to shiver

First Known Use

Verb

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing teeter

• teeter-totter

Kids Definition

teeter

verb

tee·​ter

ˈtēt-ər

1

a

: to move unsteadily

teetered on the edge and fell over the side

b

: waver sense 1

2

: seesaw entry 2 sense 2

teeter noun